Creative play is so important to young children as they grow. It's something that is not only enjoyable for children, but it helps them grow physically, intellectually, socially and emotionally. As online learning in child development shows, creative experiences allow kids to express their ideas, thoughts and feelings in a way that few other activities can.
What Are The Benefits Of Creative Play For Kids?
The benefits offered by creative play in terms of cognitive development are numerous, with both sensory development and hand-eye coordination being exercised. They also get to develop their attention span, concentration and social confidence (if playing with others), as well as an understanding of new environments. It would be true to say they get a lot out of it.
Why Are Kids OPbsessed With Boxes?
Ok, so we know that kids develop when engaging in creative play, but that doesn't explain why they're so obsessed with boxes when they come across them. Known unofficially as the Packaging Phenomenon, studies have shown that children under 5 often prefer the box the toy came in rather than the toy itself.
But why is that? If you can't remember what it was like being a kid and seeing the wonder in a cardboard box, let's dive in and see what all the fuss is about, shall we?
-
Cardboard Boxes Offer A Blank Canvas!
You don't need to engage in the best online courses Australia can provide to know that kids love cardboard boxes, particularly as we've all seen the fun that can be had. The reason is that while adults see boxes as something that needs to be recycled, kids see something else entirely.
A plain box represents a blank canvas for children that can be turned into virtually anything! It could be a spaceship, boat, or basket under a hot air balloon! Their imagination is the only limit to their adventures, so the appeal is obvious.
-
Comfort Can Be Drawn From Being In Their Own World
To a child, the world can often seem like a scary place they don't yet understand. However, creating a whole new world in a cardboard box can provide comfort and security. Kids find hiding away or denning (making a den) so attractive because it's said to remind them of being in the womb - a place of safety.
It's a feeling that your children will likely not fully understand. They just know that there's a box that must be played with!
-
They Can Jump Inside It!
Another reason why children love boxes is that there aren't many toys that you can actually get inside! With a box, you can, and not only will the act of jumping in the box spark their young imaginations, but it also serves to develop their spatial awareness.
They can see how big the box is from the outside, but getting in teaches perspective and better judgment on the size of objects.
Of course, as kids grow older, they grow out of these things, but cardboard boxes absolutely rock for younger kids! So, before you throw out that box that your new washing machine came in, just think of the fun your kids could have with it! Just don't tell them they'll learn something when they play with it, or you might ruin the magic!
Make Parenting Easier By Studying A Short Courses Online
As we can see, kids find fun in the most unexpected places, so it sometimes pays to think out-of-the-box(please pardon the pun) when it comes to their play. Furthermore, you can learn all sorts of new parenting skills and approaches when you engage in our CPD-Endorsed online training that's both video-based for easy digestion and modular, making it easy to fit around your busy schedule.
Training like our Nurturing Creativity in Children course represents just one of many courses in our library that spans more than 20 different professional sectors. Our students often tell us that ours is the best online education Australia has available, not just because our training is mentally stimulating but also due to the support provided by the 1-to-1 mentoring everyone gets.
If you'd like to get a closer look at what makes our learning head and shoulders above traditional text-based courses, check our Student Study Demo, which shows you everything you need to know. Alternatively, to see our entire course library or our flexible payment options, visit us today at www.onlinecoursesaustralia.edu.au.
Alternatively, if you'd prefer to speak to us directly before signing up for one of our short courses online, that's no problem at all. Simply call us on 1300 611 404 or email us at [email protected], and we'll get back to you without delay.
